Spring calendar blooms with travel, events

Allyson: I hope you have enjoyed this weather as much as Gregory and I have. We were beginning to think the whole world was gloomy and gray and then the sun finally showed up!

Looking for adventure, we hopped over to the Dallas Ritz Carlton. Our favorite pastime is free at the hotel but uber indulgent. If you head down to the lobby a little before your dinner reservation or shopping excursion, the house Bentley will take you just about anywhere you'd like to go. The drivers are handsome and charming, one even delivered us some green champagne on St. Patrick's Day!

Short list of new dining faves in the DFW area: Abacus, which I had never been to but enjoyed very much. The wine list was miles long and our dashing waiter Ken (with the most incredible gray eyes) was Odell Beckham Jr.'s uncle. You know I love an athlete and an LSU superstar at that. Another grand feast was at Taverna in Fort Worth - if you are in Fort Worth - you have to go there. The pizzas and gnocchi were to die for. But our favorite all time spot is Stephen Pyle and we had lunch there twice. Amazing!

Before I left on the Dallas getaway, we had a quick ladies' night at Portico to celebrate my bestie Cathy Semmes' birthday. Joining us were Molly Frances McEacharn and Michelle Anderson. Also out enjoying the warm evening were Ryan Sartor, Tommy Zentner, Stacey and John Majure, Mennon and Abby Campbell, Meredith and Jason Beene and Katherine and Cruse Flowers. You might remember Stacey and Katherine as two of my former dynamic tennis partners.

Speaking of tennis, we have finally started the OWTA spring season and I couldn't be more excited or sore! Thank goodness I have Lauryn Brooks to back me up on the doubles court and super fun singles opponents Sara Barham, Melissa Kiper, Stephanie Heck, Patsy Meche, Jeanette Pilbeam, etc. Here's to a grand season ladies!

The countdown is on to the 16th Annual Grace Gala on April 4. Flashback 5 will be rocking the stage all night as you heat up the dance floor. The fiesta menu from Portico looks scrumptious and don't forget to buy your raffle tickets for a trip worth for $5,000 or to bid on spectacular silent and live auction items.

Several new auction items this year have caught my eye, including a Bollywood Nights Dinner at the beautiful Bayou DeSiard home of the Drs. Rangaraj featuring delicious home cooked Indian food, wine, beer, henna and music in a setting guaranteed to transport you across the Atlantic Ocean to southeast Asia.

Another adventure I can't wait to bid on is the yoga retreat hosted at Janelle and George Snellings' Bayou DeSiard home. Yoga instructor Jeananne McGregor will lead paddle boarding, paddleboard yoga, meditation and restorative yoga sessions and end the day with an early dinner provided by Chef Cory Bahr's Nonna's restaurant.

The Bastrop-Morehouse Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual banquet and the guest speaker for the evening was Michael "Beer Man" Lewis, former wide-receiver for the New Orleans Saints, who is also currently a team ambassador for the Saints.

One of the highlights of the evening for Ross Powell was when Michael Lewis handed his Super Bowl ring to Ross to try on! Ross is a huge fan of the Saints and of Mr. Lewis and actually got to sit at the table with Mr. Lewis for the evening.

pARTy 318 at the Masur Museum was again a huge success! Special thanks to the event sponsors: Marsala Beverage, Tiger Market, Glazer's, and KEDM. Guests enjoyed beer, wine, and food trucks, including The Hogwash Caboose, featuring award winning BBQ by Rhoda Brown; and Kona Ice providing snow cones. New hot spot Nonna was also there serving up meatballs and polenta.

The crowd enjoyed a beautiful evening along the Ouachita River, listening to music, socializing, and enjoying the 51st Annual Juried Competition.

Congrats to Megan Smith and JW Perry on their recent engagement! I've known Meg since she was just a baby. Can't believe she's old enough to get married whereas I have stayed the same age. Hmmmm........

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Spring calendar blooms with travel, events

Allyson: I hope you have enjoyed this weather as much as Gregory and I have. We were beginning to think the whole world was gloomy and gray and then the sun finally showed up!